Editorial: DA’s silence following Waltham deaths is a disservice

Friday

Aug 29, 2014 at 6:00 AM

For the second time in five months, the Middlesex District Attorneyís Office did not release enough information to the public soon after a high-profile death.Waltham resident Thierry Tullus, 34, was missing for more than two days before his father found him dead inside a parked car on Overland Road last Wednesday."The police Ö found my brotherís body hanging out of the back [seat] of the car," said his sister, Laurie Pierre.About 30 hours after the body was found, the most District Attorney Marian Ryan would say was: "We are investigating and awaiting the results of autopsy and toxicology testing. When we receive those we will be in a position to notify the public about the status of the investigation."Toxicology testing can take weeks. In the matter of public safety, itís unacceptable to hold out for weeks before releasing information about a death of this nature. Finally on Thursday, more than one week after the death,†the DA's office sent out a press release, saying that three juveniles have been charged in connection with an encounter they allegedly had with Tullus "at some point preceding his death." (The man who identified himself as Tullus' boyfriend had previously told the News Tribune on Tuesday that three juveniles had been charged and that Tullus had been beaten.)When authorities arenít open and transparent, people start speculating and rumors start flying, and social media has made the rumor mill far faster and far more efficient.But most importantly, when thereís no word from authorities, people start worrying. For example, a News Tribune reporter received a call from a resident, asking if she and her family should be worried about their safety. Sheís certainly not the only one who was worried following the news of the manís death under mysterious circumstances.This silence from the DAís office is reminiscent of the period following the murder of Waltham High student Tyler Zanco in March.Zanco, 17, was shot to death March 20, at about 10 p.m. in the parking lot of the Gardencrest Apartments on Middlesex Circle. At about 10:45 a.m. the next day, a Friday, the DAís office issued its first press release, confirming the victimís name and his death. Thatís more than 12 hours after the shooting before the public received the first official confirmation there had been a murder. That, too, is far too long to keep completely silent.Nothing further was released from Ryanís office for more than four days. Finally, on Tuesday, the DA released information about the two men sought in connection with the murder.When the DAís office takes over an investigation, that means essentially that no other official sources can give out information, even if they have it to give. For example, the Police Department referred questions to the DAís office regarding both the Zanco killing and the death of Tullus.But then when a reporter tries to contact the DAís office and ask questions, he is often told itís an ongoing investigation and heís given no new information. This makes it hard on residents who deserve to hear updates and on authorities in the city, such as the police, who may want to provide helpful information to the public.Of utmost importance in a case like this Ė residents need to be reassured there is no threat to public safety, or on the other side of things, they need to be told to be extra vigilant.With this most recent case, when a reporter asks the DAís office if there is a threat, and is repeatedly told itís an ongoing investigation and does not get an answer, yes or no, thatís a disservice to the public.